M4500 Build Quality

I've never owned a Dell notebook, nor have I ever used one, but I've heard a few good things about the Precision and Latitude series. I've been looking into the Lenovo W510 a lot, and some of the people who have complained of it reported eventually [happily] settling with the Dell Precision M4500.

So I wonder, what is the build quality of the M4500 like? Particularly, what materials are used for the casing (top, bottom, and interior (palm rest, etc)); how is the keyboard; is there any flexing or creaking in the chassis; and how is the fit and finish (accents, tightness/toughness, etc.)?

-----

Also, a couple of side questions:

1) Is Dell experiencing a shortage on RAM and Windows 7 64-bit? I ask because I noticed they only ship the M4500 with the 32-bit OS option, and the RAM doesn't go above 4GB in the customization options.

2) I appreciate the unique aesthetic qualities of the M4500's case, but I'm especially intrigued by the boldly simplistic design of the M6500 - reminds me of Apple's unibody MacBooks and Lenovo's ThinkPads. Is this a new design? And what are the chances of the smaller form-factor (13"-15" Dell notebooks) adopting it?

Thanks.

 

The Dell Latitude all feature a magnesium-alloy chassis. That means that the top and bottom (LCD cover and base) are metal, but the inside (LCD bezel and palmrest) is plastic. Lenovo's quality was never very good to begin with.

1. I believe they seperate it by 32-bit and 64-bit, you'll need to click the 64bit package, not the value package, to begin customizing.

Dell Precision M4500 Mobile Workstation | Dell

2. I doubt it, and sure hope not. The M6400/M6500 is an exception and I doubt that design will make it any further than just that one model.